People are capable and creative and will find ways to reduce their energy that suit them best. A stepped energy pricing mechanism could provide the first block of energy very cheaply, or even for free, whilst successive blocks are increased in price, so that profligate users pay a high price. This mechanism could go hand in hand with re-nationalising both energy production and distribution
Stepped Pricing subsidies should come from higher tax on large industry which consume an overwhelming majority of the states power. Only 9-11% of our power in NSW is consumed by residential areas.
This will unfairly target large households who will naturally use more power in total even if they use less per person
This will unfairly impact less privileged households who have a lower ability to lower their energy usage. For example they cannot afford to buy new appliances that have higher energy efficiency ratings
This content is created by the open source Your Priorities citizen engagement platform designed by the non profit Citizens Foundation